Stuart approves letters to members of Congress urging WRDA language for Saint Lucie River muck removal

The City of Stuart on Jan. 12 approved Resolution 02-2026 authorizing staff to send letters to Rep. Brian Mast and Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody asking them to include language in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that keeps priority projects for the St. Lucie River moving, including muck removal and the C-23/24 reservoir.

Ruth Holmes, the city's environmental attorney, told commissioners the WRDA lays out directions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water infrastructure and ecological restoration work nationwide and that Stuart can use its voice to press for local project priorities. "Don't forget about muck removal," Holmes said, urging the commission to emphasize both project design and removal of legacy muck that continues to damage the estuary.

Commissioners praised the initiative as a coalition-building step and approved sending the letters by roll call vote. The resolution does not appropriate funding; it requests congressional attention and priority-setting in the WRDA process.

Next steps: staff will send the letters to the congressional delegation and report back on responses received.